But growing suspicion that the army operation to capture Christopher "Dudus" Coke and extradite him to the US turned into a bloodbath of extra-judicial killings is threatening to sweep away public support for the government's attempt to assert control over what has been called a "state within a state".

Golding, in a statement to the House of Representatives, said the state of emergency, which has been imposed since Sunday evening, will be used by the security forces to go after armed thugs across the country.

"During this period of public emergency, a concerted effort will be made to go after the criminal gunmen in whatever community they may be ensconced," Golding told the House.

He added that while the state of emergency has been called to deal with the arrest of Coke, "it is not confined to that, because there is a general pattern of criminality, lawlessness and the kind of criminality that is not unwilling to confront and challenge the institutions of authority in the State and those have to be responded to ... ."

Golding disclosed that pending anti-crime legislation

HEAVY explosions are ringing out in West Kingston as a large contingent of police and soldiers have converged on the volatile community of Tivoli Gardens in an effort to bring in reputed don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Soldiers clear Red Hills Road

JAMAICA Defence Force soldiers used a bulldozer and trucks to clear blockages erected at various points on the busy thoroughfare of Red Hills Road this morning.

Opposition leader, Portia Simpson Miller yesterday urged Prime Minister Bruce Golding to establish a civilian oversight committee to monitor the State of Piublic Emergency, at the same time offering her support

In a letter to Golding, she said that the People's National Party (PNP) had taken note of the declaration of a State of Public Emergency in Kingston and St Andrew, but noted the party's alarm "that no curfew was imposed in any of those areas while breaches of the public order were allowed to escalate". This took place in certain communities with targeted criminal groups taking the attack to the security forces.

Residents of West Kingston look on as police flood the area yesterday. (Photo: Bryan Cummings

A dumb-founded Jamaican nation remained transfixed to radio and television sets yesterday as marauding gunmen openly challenged security forces for control of the streets of downtown Kingston.

With the tension still running high at nightfall, police counted two of their numbers shot and one civilian dead, casualties of the gunmen's determined stance against the capture of Tivoli Gardens strongman Christopher 'Dudus' Coke.

Police on patrol in sections of downtown Kingston. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

In an advisory, the Kingston Public Hospital said it would only be taking emergency cases after gunshots rang out in the vicinity.

There were signs that Coke was digging in, with supporters extending and expanding the barricades erected in West Kingston since Monday night when Prime Minister Bruce Golding announced that extradition proceedings against him could begin.

The heavily armed gunmen appeared to be on the offensive, torching one police station and keeping lawmen pinned down throughout the day at three others.

In a clear signal they wanted to minimise potential casualties, police invited law-abiding residents of Tivoli Gardens and adjoining Denham Town to leave the communities via Industrial Terrace. But buses provided by the security forces to take the residents to an unnamed location, remained empty. It was not immediately certain if the residents were staying of their own accord or if they were being coerced to stay.

Rumours multiplied throughout the day that the violence would spread beyond West Kingston, causing many citizens to leave downtown Kingston or avoid it altogether.

In one incident late evening, police quickly crushed an attempt to mount a roadblock along Red Hills Road, northwest of the capital, exchanging gunfire with men who quickly fled.

"We tried to clear the roadblock and they fired on us but we have managed to clear the area and calm has returned," said head of crime for the St Andrew North Police Division, Deputy Superintendent Altermoth 'Parra' Campbell..

Earlier in the day, Observer news teams met upon roadblock after roadblock in downtown sections of the capital city and heard gunshots in the distance. But it was unclear who were firing. Roadblocks turned up as far as Heroes Circle near Fletcher's Land near Manchester Square.

"Reports so far are that one civilian was shot and killed and two police officers injured," cops later told the Observer. "At this time, the reports are that at least four police stations have come under attack from gunmen," the police said.

A station in Hannah Town was torched while the Darling Street, Fletcher's Land and Denham Town police stations came under heavy gunfire.

But police could not confirm reports that a police vehicle was also stolen by the gunmen and also that electricity in sections of West Kingston was turned off.

The cops were said to have been forced to beat a hasty retreat when gunmen stole the vehicle with a police radio inside it at Slipe Pen Road in the vicinity of the Blood Bank. The gunmen reportedly sprayed the vehicle with high-powered assault rifles and drove away the car when the occupants fled.

"The man them out on the road crazy, we have to be watching. The situation has reached a serious state," said one man who spoke for a group of frightened looking residents.

Meanwhile the Police Federation blasted the criminal activities as an attack against the State.

"The mettle and resilience of our police officers are being tested by resourceful criminal elements who have declared war on our security forces," said Sergeant Raymond Wilson, chairman of the Police Federation.

"We are asking our members to take all necessary precautions in the face of blatant threats against their lives and their environs," Wilson urged.

"Whilst we have sworn to protect every member of the Jamaican society we must ensure self-preservation, as this is the only way we will be able to execute our duties timely and professionally. I am pleading with every responsible law-abiding Jamaican to support us; this fight is for all of us," said Wilson.

THE stand-off between security forces and 'Dudus' supporters in Tivoli Gardens, West Kingston, last week overshadowed a significant move towards peace in two other troubled Kingston communities.

Passers-by stood in amazement as residents from Big Yard and Cassava Piece, two long-standing rivals at the centre of a bloody feud, faced off in a busy parking lot off Mannings Hill Road.

Entertainer Mavado (left) converses with Rev Al Miller following the peace talks (Photo: Ingrid Brown)

 THE Government yesterday placed Jamaica's capital city under a limited State of Public Emergency in response to acts of anarchy by gunmen determined to prevent Tivoli Gardens don, Christopher 'Dudus' Coke from being arrested for possible extradition to the United States.

The State of Emergency -- which took effect at six o'clock yesterday evening -- is tentatively scheduled to last for a month.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Cabinet on a day when gunmen attacked four police stations -- Fletcher's Land, Darling Street, Denham Town and Hannah Town -- and fired on police removing barricades erected on major roads in West Kingston.

Police report that two cops were injured by gunmen's bullets and a section of the Hannah Town Police Station was set ablaze by the thugs.

Last night, in an address to the nation, Prime Minister Bruce Golding, who represents West Kingston in the Parliament, said the actions of the gunmen were "a calculated assault on the authority of the State that cannot be tolerated, and will not be allowed to continue".

"The threats that have emerged to the safety and security of our people will be repelled with strong and decisive action," Golding said, adding that the security forces will be moving swiftly to bring the current situation under control.

"Criminal elements bent on violence and mayhem will be detained, and processed," said Golding. "The criminal element who have placed the society under siege will not be allowed to triumph."

He explained that the decision to call the state of public emergency was based on updates and advice from the security forces.

"The Cabinet took the decision to advise the governor general to issue a Proclamation pursuant to Section 26 of the Constitution declaring that a state of public emergency exists in the parishes of Kingston and St Andrew," the prime minister said.

Speaking to the issue last evening, National Security Minister Dwight Nelson said that people will not be prevented from going about their legitimate business.

"I know that there are people who work abnormal hours, and so we cannot stop them from carrying out their work responsibility or obligation, which means that you can't limit them as to the time they will have to be on the road," Nelson told the Observer.

That point was emphasised by Prime Minister Golding who said that the security forces have been instructed to observe and respect the right of citizens to go about their lawful business.

"The city is not being shut down," he insisted. "People are assured that they are free to move about and go to work as usual. Schools will be in full session on Tuesday."

Golding explained that under the state of public emergency, the security forces are given extraordinary powers necessary to deal with this extraordinary situation.

"These include the power to restrict the freedom of movement, search premises and detain persons suspected of involvement in unlawful activities without warrant," he said. "These are necessary measures to restore order to a community that is now threatened."

Added Golding: "This will be a turning point for us as a nation to confront the powers of evil that have penalised the society and earned us the unenviable label as one of the murder capitals of the world. We must confront this criminal element with determination and unqualified resolve."

Since Independence in 1962, Jamaica has seen five state of emergencies. Three -- in 1988, 2004 and 2007 -- were hurricane-related. The state of emergency of 1966 and that called in 1976 resulted from political violence in the run-up to pending general elections.

SHANGHAI, China (CMC) — Usain Bolt marked his debut in the IAAF Diamond League yesterday with another comfortable victory in the men's 200 metres at the Olympic Football Stadium here.

The Jamaican sprint sensation jogged to a new meet record of 19.76 seconds, pulling away from the field in the final 60 metres, after coming into the home straight with a conservative lead of no more than five metres.

Jamaican Usain Bolt (right), leads Angelo Taylor of the United States (centre), and China's Li Mingxuan in the men's 200m during the 2010 IAAF Diamond League athletics event in Shanghai, China, yesterday. (Photo: AP)  1/2

"It was good, but it was kind of windy," said Bolt said. "It was a good run, the feeling was good, but it was not easy. I am not in the best shape, but I enjoyed it, and I look forward to the next race.

"I really wanted a good time because I do not come to China very often. Coming out of the curve, I was smiling, and I thought, 'Oh my goodness!'."

He added: "I was surprised to see a lot of Jamaicans here. I love them. Wherever I go, it would not be the same without them."

Bolt crossed the line in relaxed fashion, but his time was still two tenths-of-a-second slower than his run at the Jamaica Invitational meet earlier this month.

Angelo Taylor, the double Olympic 400m hurdles champion from the United States, took second place in a personal best of 20.34 secs, with another American Ryan Bailey third in 20.43.

Marvin Anderson, another Jamaican, finished fourth in a personal season's best time of 20.48, and Churandy Martina of the Netherlands Antilles, who was denied an Olympic silver behind Bolt two years ago in the Chinese city of Beijing for running outside his lane, was fifth in 20.95.

Bolt was the only victory from an English-speaking Caribbean athlete on the programme, with compatriots Shelly-Ann Fraser and Melaine Walker, two reigning Olympic and World champions, being dismissed in their events.

Fraser finished a credible second in the women's 100 dash with a time of 11.29 secs, and veteran Bahamian Chandra Sturrup was third in 11.38, but American Carmelita Jeter continued her impressive early season winning form to clock 11.09.

Jeter was initially challenged by compatriot Me'Lisa Barber, but Fraser and Sturrup offered a stiff challenge before the American increased her pace at the halfway point to power into a clear lead.

Jeter was still was short of her meet record of 10.64, set last September, which made her the world's second fastest woman ever, behind late fellow American Florence Griffith-Joyner.

Walker visibly ran out of steam in the home straight to finish fifth in the women's 400 hurdles, with American Lashinda Demus storming to a world-leading time and meet record of 53.34.

Demus led from start to finish, as the rest of the field wilted in the home straight, and she accelerated even harder toward the finish line for an easy victory.

Demus easily smashed her three-week-old World-leading mark of 54.09, and deprived Russia's Yevgeniya Isakova of her 2006 meet record.

Russia's Natalya Antyukh, an Olympic bronze medallist, finished second in 54.83, and Polish record-holder Anna Jesien prevailed in a desperate race for third in 55.12.

Apart from Bolt, Fraser and Sturrup, there was only one other podium finish for the English-speaking Caribbean.

Kingston, Washington exploring possibility of int'l mediation on extradition request Expertsfear worsening of diplomatic relati

 "While the Golding administration remains adamant that it cannot act outside of Jamaican law, it has made it clear to the Americans that it wants the dispute resolved with its long-time ally," said the high-level source who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The US is demanding that Coke, the Tivoli Gardens strongman, be handed over to face trial on an indictment by the grand jury for the Southern District of New York, on two counts of alleged conspiracy to, inter alia, distribute and possess with intent to distribute narcotics, specifically cocaine; and conspiracy to traffic in firearms without a licence.

But the prime minister has said the evidence presented by the Americans had not satisfied the Government that there was enough to convict Coke in a Jamaican court for those offences, as required by the Extradition Treaty.

THE Jamaican and United States governments were at the weekend weighing expert advice that they subject their extradition dispute over Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to international mediation, possibly involving the United Nations (UN).

Impeccable Sunday Observer sources said the suggestion was floated in Kingston and that Washington had indicated it was willing to explore mediation as an option.

But critics have lashed Golding, suggesting that he was protecting Coke, who resides in the prime minister's West Kingston constituency, because of his alleged links to the ruling Jamaica Labour Party.

In the meantime, relations between Jamaica and the US remain tense, with advisors suggesting that it could further deteriorate, as there was little prospect of a resolution, if both sides stuck to their guns.

Asked about the likelihood of the US accepting mediation, the source said the State Department did not initially warm to the idea and was still insisting that its extradition request be taken before the Jamaican courts for a decision. But it said it would explore the option.

"Jamaica's willingness to put the issue to mediation was at least an indication to the US that we want to see the matter resolved in a mutually satisfactory way," the source said.

Prime Minister Bruce Golding was said to be listening to his advisors who had outlined several options that were available to him, including mediation, before he made his next move.

The advisors themselves were apparently not pressing Golding to take the matter through the Jamaican courts, arguing that its ruling was not binding on the US under the 1993 Extradition Treaty and subsequent Memorandum of Understanding signed and ratified by both countries.

"The Jamaican Government is of the view that this is a matter in which both parties have an obligation to sit and amicably resolve the issues through negotiations as two sovereign states to a bilateral treaty," the source said.

"Placing the matter in the Jamaican courts would not address the issues and would not be binding on the US under the treaty and the MOUs. The issues which have arisen in this extradition request, if not addressed, will almost certainly arise in future extradition requests," he said.

The high-level source insisted that even if the various procedural obstacles were overcome, "a court judgement, while persuasive, would not be binding on the US".

"The issue would still remain until it is resolved in a conclusive way," he said. "The domestic court is not an arena to resolve what is essentially obligations under international law between two sovereign states and their relations internationally."

He said the Jamaican administration was confident that it had a case that could stand scrutiny at any level of mediation, including the secretary general of the UN Ban Ki-Moon; the Washington-based Organisation of American States; the European Union, a third country or some person or similar body with international standing.

Such mediation would determine the legitimacy of the US assertions that it acted in accordance with the spirit and intent of the Extradition Treaty and the Memorandum of Understanding. "This decision would be a strong factor which any minister (of justice) would take into account when considering whether to sign the authority to proceed or not," said the source.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Prime Minister Bruce Golding said the Government had not taken a definitive position that Coke will not be extradited.

"The matter has become one of significant controversy. The United States government has remained virtually intransigent on the matter ... or intractable or inflexible," Golding said.

The prime minister told Parliament "Government will, without hesitation, facilitate the extradition of any Jamaican citizen wanted to stand trial for extraditable offences once the obligations under the treaty are met."

The Jamaican Government has said that the wiretapping evidence the US has - bolstering allegations against Coke regarding drug trafficking and gunrunning - was obtained illegally and was in breach of the mutual extradition treaty. Golding said his administration would not be signing the request on that basis.

"Christopher Coke is wanted for an alleged crime in the US for which he ought to be tried and the Government of Jamaica, consistent with its obligations under the treaty, will do everything to facilitate his extradition once it is done in accordance with the provisions of the treaty and the laws of our country," the prime minister said.

Central Kingston Member of Parliament Ronald Thwaites, who was in a fiery mood, said the issue of wiretapping was a red herring. He urged the Government to reflect on how the treatment of the extradition was marring the image of the country.

It has been less than three days sinceOneil from the dancehall boy groupVoicemail was robbed and shot the latest victim is Mad Cobra.

It's alleged that the incident took place in the St. Catherine area where he was shot in the chest. He's now admitted in the Spanish Town Hospital.

According to a source his condition looks critical as he’s not only bleeding from his chest but also from his mouth.

The deejay, was shot as he attempted to enter his home in Duhaney Park, St Andrew.

He was reportedly rushed to the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) where up to early this morning he was being operated on and was said to have been in a critical condition.

When contacted, one of the other members of the trio, Kevin, confirmed the incident, saying; "it sound critical." Kevin, who was at a loss for words said he heard that Oneil was shot at least three times by the unknown assailants.

Kevin said that he was hoping for the best and was still in shock after getting word of the incident. "Mi dey ya freeze, cyaan move," he said.

When THE STAR visited KPH close to 4 a.m., several artistes were seen gathered outside. Among the persons there were Nitty Kutchie, Nicky B and the other member of Voicemail,Craig.

The artistes all openly discussed the incident and spoke of Oneil recently celebrating his birthday.

There were also other artistes who showed their support for Oneil through posts made on the Internet. Female deejay, Macka Diamond on her Twitter page called for: "Passion Sundays, Bounty Sundays, Fresh Money Sundays, unu all stop and pray. Oniel always at these places, please. We need all the places that people are partying right now just turn it inna a little prayer service, please, please."

The group Voicemail is known for songs such as Wacky Dip, Throwback Butterfly and Dance The Night Away.

The residents are neighbours of O'Neil Edwards — part of the dancehall trio Voice Mail — who is now in hospital battling for life.

Edwards was ambushed and shot repeatedly as he attempted to open his gate after returning home about 1:00 this morning.

Neighbours said they hoped Edwards would survive the ordeal.

"I just really hope that he makes it, trust me," said one of a group of persons who had gathered outside Edwards home this morning.

Residents say two gunmen were seen running away from the scene. Edwards was found lying on his back in a pool of blood in his backyard. He was shot at least five times.